Cooking rack



June 11, 1929. p w STEPHENS 1,716,868

COOKI NG' RACK Filed Feb. 27, 1928 fi/ovdor fiv h/ g l J W aim/ Patented June 11, 1929.

Darren-STATES PATENT oFFicE.

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Application filed February 27, 1928. Serial No. 257,233.

This invention relates to improvements in cooking racks, and more particularly to racks of the type adaptedtosupport a plurality of articles being cooked within a single cooking vessel. The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, economical and durable rack of the type above described in cluding a collapsible support and one or more I trays to be detachably connected therewith to provide a strong and rigid framework all of which are readily assembled and disassembled.

The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is'a perspective view of a cooking vessel, with one side brokcnaway to show my improved form of cooking rack inserted therein.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of removed from a vessel and showingthe tray in another and lower position thereon, and

Figure 3 is a detail view showing the supporting frame in collapsed or folded position, with portions adjacent the supporting projections and hinged connection shown in section.

Referring to details shown in the drawings, my improved form of rack comprises a frame indicated generally at 10, and one or more trays or horizontal supporting members in dicated at 11. The frame is made up of three or more substantially L-shaped members 12, 12, arranged in'inverted position and pivotally connected at their upper extremities as by a pivot pin 13. The frame members 12, 12, are substantially uniform in shape and construction, preferably being formed of flat bar stock bent or shaped permanently by any suitable forming operation, and each having a plurality of rows of inwardly extending projections or lu s 15, 15 on their upright side portions. aid lugs are preferably formed by cutting upright portions from the body of the frame members 12, and bending said portions inwardly and upwardly in position spaced from their respective frame members, as clearly shown in Figure 3.

In the form shown, two series or rows of such projections are shown, the upper row 15 being the upper ends of the frame members and the other rows 15 near the lower ends I thereof, so as to accommodate the supporting the rack connection with the frame members'12; Each of said trays comprising clrcular flat body portion and having a downwardly extending flange 11 around its periphery. This flanged portion is adapted to fit in interlocking engagement within theupstanding projections or lugs 15 or 15* of the frame members 12 when the latter are in spread. position,.as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figures 1 shows a tray 11 supported in the upper set of projections 12, while-in Figure 2 a similar tray is supported in the lower set of projections 15*. It is manifest, of course, that other series or rows of projections 15 may also be employed, but for ordinary purposes, two such rows of projections are ordinarily sufficient. The trays 11 illustrated herein are provided with a plurality of circular apertures 14, which may be used as seats for smaller vessels such as custard cups or the like, if desired, and also afford lightness to the structure.

The use and operation of the device above described will now be readily understood. When the frame members 12, 12, are in'spread position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the trays 11 may be readily slipped in place upon projections 15 01 15*, or both, depending upon the position desired. Thus in Figure 1 the tray 11 is arranged so as to support articles being cooked in a position spaced above the bottom of cooking vessel 16, and leaving space beneath the tray for other material to be cooked as usual in the bottom portion of said vessel.

In the form shown in Figure 2, the tray 11 is placed near the lower part of the frame in which position the articles supported thereon will be held in spaced relation from the bottom of'the Vessel as may he sometimes desired. 7

When the cooking rack is not in use the frame member 12 may be readily collapsed and folded together, as shown in Figure 3, in

which the several members 12, 12, may be ll 'interlocked with projections 15 or 15.

With this arrangement, the frame members are held from lateral movement, thus forming a rigid and self-supporting structure.

Vhile I have illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, a rack comprising a plurality of frame members bent inwardly and hinged at their upper extremities, and provided with a series of inwardly and upwardly extending projections, and a circular supporting tray having a downwardly flanged marginal portion detachably engageable with said projections to hold said frame members from lateral movement relative thereto when said members are in spread position.

2. In a device of the character described, a rack comprising a plurality of frame members of flat bar stock bent inwardly and hinged at their upper extrel'nities, and provided with a series of inwardly and upwardly extending projections formed integrally therewith, and a circular supporting tray having a downwardly flanged marginal portion detachably engageable with said projections to hold said frame members -itrom lateral movement relative thereto when said members are in spread position.

Signed at Chicago, 111., this 24th day of February, 1928.

PERCY W. STEPHENS. 

